A Jan. 14 preliminary hearing date was confirmed Friday for a man who allegedly tried to shoot his way into a Riverside apartment and then turned his gun on police officers when they confronted him, resulting in him being shot.
Baltazar Antonio Lievano, 37, was arrested last January after the officer-involved shooting in the 11400 block of Magnolia Avenue, near Fillmore Street.
Lievano is charged with four counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer, and one count each of reckless discharge of a gun, attempted burglary, receiving stolen property and being in possession of a controlled substance while armed.
During a status hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Riverside County Superior Court Judge O.G. Magno conferred with the prosecution and defense about scheduling, and all sides agreed to proceed with the preliminary hearing Thursday.
The hearing will determine whether there’s sufficient evidence to warrant a trial for the defendant, who is being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.
Lievano allegedly tried to force his way inside a unit at the apartment complex about 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2020, opening fire with a handgun during the attempted break-in, prompting calls to 911, Riverside Police Department Officer Ryan Railsback said.
Patrol officers arrived within a few minutes and encountered the “heavily armed suspect,” whom they ordered to surrender, Railsback said.
Railsback alleged that Lievano did not follow commands and posed an imminent threat to the lawmen, at least one of whom fired several shots, wounding Lievano in the upper body. No officers or civilians were injured.
It was unclear why Lievano allegedly tried to gain access to the apartment, or who was inside.
Lievano underwent surgery at Riverside Community Hospital and was later transferred to the sheriff’s infirmary at Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he spent several weeks recovering.
Lievano has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.